Trainer Graeme McPherson says a run out at Doncaster could be on the cards for Ami Desbois ahead of the Cheltenham Festival.
Ami Desbois is being aimed at the Albert Bartlett Novices’ Hurdle in March and McPherson is looking at his plan of attack.
McPherson is happy with his charge’s performances this season, with Ami Desbois winning his first two starts before a second-place finish in a Grade Two at Cheltenham.
The six-year-old also managed third in the Challow Hurdle at Newbury in December, a result McPherson was delighted with as he felt Ami Desbois was not necessarily suited to the conditions or the trip.
A three-mile handicap hurdle at Wetherby early next month is a potential target but McPherson says a Grade Two at Doncaster on January 28 is an alternative option.
“Ami Desbois has been fantastic for us this season,” McPherson told Sporting Life. “He was bursting for a run and he was in the Challow so we let him take his chance. It was a fantastic performance as it was over a trip that was too short on ground that was a bit quick for him.
“He will go back to three miles now as the plan all season has been the Albert Bartlett. He will almost certainly have one more run before that.
“There is the River Don at the end of January at Doncaster. He finished third in that last year behind Barters Hill and that was when we knew he might be a horse that is potentially special.
“I would love it if it was soft ground there, but you don’t always get that at Doncaster. If not, there is a three-mile handicap at Wetherby the week after.
“I am probably looking at Wetherby rather than Doncaster as it is a slightly easier race. Fingers crossed he could get his head in front there and get a confidence-boosting win before Cheltenham.”
